THE CAUSE OF PEACE.
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he war had set a great task for statesman-ship. The best thought of the world demandedthat a serious attempt be made by the leadersof the allied governments to formulate a Treatyof Peace which should prevent the recurrence ofwar. Every rightful impulse of the humanheart was in accord with that purpose. Fromtime immemorial, men have dreamed of peace;poets have sung of it; philosophers have writtenabout it; statesmen have discussed it; men every-where have hoped and prayed that the day mightcome when wars would no longer be necessary inthe settlement of international differences. (Ap-plause. ) For the first time in the turbulent annals ofthe human race, such a project had become feas-ible. The destruction of militarism, the crumbl-ing of thrones, the dissolution of dynasties, theworld-wide appreciation of the inner meaning ofwar and the final triumph of democracy had atlast made it possible to realize the dearest dreamthat ever crossed the night of man’s dark mind. 40 * |e
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